1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief

Background:

The SJ series Jeep Cherokee was introduced in 1974 and was produced until 1983. A full-size station wagon, it was the first two-door Jeep since the Wagoneer of 1963-67 and it shared the same pillar and window configuration as its forebear.

Despite its size, it was marketed as the ‘sporty’ variant of the Jeep station wagon range and the Cherokee retains the singular honour of coining the nomenclature for an entire market-segment – the term 'Sport Utility Vehicle' appeared for the very first time in a 1974 Jeep Cherokee sales brochure.

Offered with a range of AMC straight-six or V8 engines, ranging from a 110bhp 4.2-litre six to the monstrous 215hp 401cuin (6.6-litre) V8, which remains the largest engine ever offered in any Jeep. With a 4-speed manual or 3-speed GM TH400 automatic, permanent four-wheel drive was provided by the QuadraTrac system.

The Cherokee Chief range debuted in 1976, with wider axles and tyres, larger fenders to cover them along with heavy-duty Dana axles at front and rear, adding to off-road ability and on-road reliability. A bewildering range of interior and exterior trim, colour and graphics options kept the American-buying public occupied and the Cherokee was offered in right-hand drive for UK and Australian markets.

The car:

This imposing left-hand drive 'fire engine' red beast was first owned by Italian musician, Renato Zero, and spent much of its early life in his homeland. In 1993, the original Jeep power unit was replaced by a VM3600 six-cylinder turbodiesel by well known American car specialists, Carollo of Vicenza, and it has retained that engine ever since, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.

The vendor purchased this Cherokee Chief in 2004, becoming only the third owner of this engaging machine, which retains something of a timewarp aura, being very clearly a child of the Disco era of American auto-maker excess, while also remaining capable of decent off-road performance.

The bright red coachwork has recently been refreshed, with new Cherokee Chief decals and just sliding behind the wheel will guarantee flashbacks to a more carefree, perhaps innocent, era. Striking and imposing, this Jeep will always turn heads while swallowing large payloads and carrying passengers in some comfort.

Nicely patinated, the vehicle sits on original alloys, has a solid underbody and the interior and exterior are in good overall condition for a vehicle that is well into its fourth decade. The rear seats have been removed temporarily (but are included with the car), with the Jeep re-approved as a two-seater van to reduce costs but the remaining interior is in good, patinated condition, with wear commensurate with age and what appears to have been relatively light usage. 20 minutes work would convert it back to a 5 seater. There is no service history available but the vehicle is reported to be in good mechanical condition and running properly.

Summary:

In this bright red 1970s throwback, you’ll always stand out. It represents a very affordable and - whisper it - reasonably practical entry into late-century Americana.

Location: Lazio, Italy

Seller: Private

Photos: Vendor Supplied